ac3 vs mp3

[anGGa]

Hi,

Could any1 tell me what the + factors and the - factors are if you encoded a divx movie with ac3/mp3?
Please be kind to clear this out, thanks!!:D

[Slogra]

AC3:
+ 5.1 channels
+ Good quality (as the original DVD)
- BIG file (you'll need at least 2 cd's for a movie)
- You need a decoder and enough speakers to hear all channels (dolby digital receiver or soundcard with decoder and matching speakerset).
- you need a fast cpu

MP3:
+ Small file (you might be able to put a movie on 1 cd)
+ no decoder needed
+ works on a low cpu
- only stereo/prologic sound

This is about it, i guess...
So when you movie has a impressive soundtrack/soundeffects you could choose ac3 and put it on 2+ cds. When the sound isn't impressive/important you may wanna choose mp3 and squeeze it on 1 cd.


Here's a question i ask myself all the time: What is the diffence of a dolby digital 2.0 and a stereo mp3 file? Which one would sound better at the same bitrate?

[anGGa]

Slogra,
Thanks for the replay m8!

If anybody else want to add something, please be free to do so...

[Zhnujm]

maybe one little thing to add:
Originally posted by Slogra

- you need a fast cpu and cd-rom drive


i use a 4x cdrom for playback, and it works perfect.

[dragoman]

Hi,

Rules that I go by:

If the DVD has 5.1 Sound, use the ac3.

Some DVD's however, don't have 5.1 sound....(Christmas Vacation is one), they only have 2ch stereo...

In this case, makes no sense to have ac3 sound, just make a mp3 with high bitrate....sounds as good, less space.

dragoman

[Mac Sidewinder]

I usually go by:

If I am going to make a 1 cd rip - mp3 sound.

If I am going for 2+ cd rip - ac3 sound.

Just my prefs

Mac

[Jaguarondi]

One question, what player is suitable for 2+ cd rip - ac3 sound?
Is there any way to use multiple drives like microdvd player so you don't have to play like a disc jokey during the movie? Thanks

Jag

[aleksander]

The best is PowerDivx - grab the latest version at www.powerdivx.com
You can create a file list with it, so if you have 2 cd-drives you will not have to be a "disc jokey". And it has ac3 support.
You can also try BSPlayer...

take care

[anGGa]

Till now i find bsplayer the best divx player but I dont know cause I never tried PowerDivX before...Is it better?

[aleksander]

There is a new version in development - PowerDivx 4 - which will be the best of them all..
You can grab the latest version (I guess it's 3.12) and compare it with BSPlayer by yourself.

take care

[anGGa]

Ok, ill do that ;)